It’s a whole new world. This year is shaping up to be the start of a brand new way of life that is kinder, gentler and more loving. While we’re facing challenges in this pandemic, we are also experiencing a season of great spiritual awakening. All over the world, people are searching for answers and hope.

Moving forward and focusing on life after the pandemic may be the next steps to keep busy in the remainder of the lockdown. Many people have discovered different ways to fight anxiety and prevent cabin fever.

For instance, there’s time to meditate daily and be grateful. There are online sessions at Aegle Wellness Center promoting healthy mind, body and soul. From the last Zoom class of Kundalini Yoga teacher Rosan Cruz, she taught these exercises:

Let’s love ourselves by putting our health first. The best way to boost the immune system is by using breathing techniques, or pranayama. Prana means “life force energy,” and yama means “control.” There are thousands of pranayama techniques, but I’ll share two that will clear the toxins out of your mucous lining and blood vessels, and another to strengthen your lungs.

The first is called “dog’s breath,” where you’ll be panting like a dog who’s happy to see you. Sit either in a cross-legged position on the floor or on a chair, hold onto your knees with your hands, your arms stretched out. Spine straight and chest out, stick your tongue all the way out and keep it out as you rapidly breathe in and out through your mouth. The breath is rapid, two to three breaths per second. Do this panting diaphragmatic breath for a minute or two. To end, inhale and hold your breath for 15 to 20 seconds.

The second is to strengthen the lungs to improve your respiratory system. Still using the same posture, this time the tip of the tongue is placed behind the teeth with the mouth closed. Inhale completely, hold the breath in and begin flexing the spine rapidly. When you can no longer hold the breath in comfortably, come back to the center and exhale, and repeat: Inhale and hold the breath and flex the spine. Try to hold your breath longer. To end, inhale and hold your breath for 15 to 20 seconds. Do this for two to three minutes every day.

Favorite destinations

With much time on your hands and loads of free online activities, we can do virtual travels and unlimited workouts, cook yummy dishes and discover new hobbies.

Google Arts & Culture teamed up with more than 2,500 museums and galleries around the world to bring virtual tours and online exhibits to anyone with an internet connection. Our favorite Uffizi Gallery in Florence is open for virtual viewing of the Renaissance era art collection of the Medici family.

The Louvre, arguably the most famous museum in Paris, offers virtual tours of Egyptian Antiquities collection and some other sections. Unfortunately, you’ll have to see the Mona Lisa in person when this whole pandemic is over.

Google Earth gives us the ability to stand under cloudless skies next to the Great Pyramids in Giza, have multiple views of the beautiful Taj Mahal, explore the famed Versailles Gardens and walk the perimeter of the Roman Colosseum.

During one of the Aegle Wellness Center Serenity Series, A2A Safaris’ Jose “Lit” Cortes shared his passion for the natural world through his photography.

Lit showed the beauty to be found in all the world’s continents, from Antarctica to South America and Africa. His travels in those remote regions have resulted in a body of work that is “very NatGeo.” But his work is his private treasure, shared only with close friends, as Lit remains a humble and unassuming person.

It was wonderful to visit my favorite destination, Africa, again through his photos. I can’t wait to visit Lit and his lovely wife Kitty, who live in Cape Town, hopefully very soon. Follow Aegle Wellness Center on Instagram for other sessions to keep our minds alive.

‘One World: Together At Home’

Some of the world’s biggest stars are performing today in “One World: Together At Home,” the biggest global virtual music event aimed at uniting humanity at a time when many may feel isolated at home.

This event is live today, April 19, at 8 a.m. on National Geographic (Cignal: CH 141 SD, CH 240 HD; SkyCable: CH 41 SD, CH 195 HD) as the world comes together through music to celebrate the heroic efforts of front-line health-care workers and to fight the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and antipoverty organization Global Citizen, the two-hour special features performances by several stars, interviews with leading WHO experts, and stories from health-care workers from around the world.

Curated in collaboration with Lady Gaga, the “One World: Together At Home” broadcast special includes performances and appearances by Alicia Keys, Amy Poehler, Andrea Bocelli, Awkwafina, Billie Eilish, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Burna Boy, Camila Cabello, Celine Dion, Chris Martin, David and Victoria Beckham, Eddie Vedder, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John, FINNEAS, Idris and Sabrina Elba, J Balvin, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kerry Washington, Lang Lang, Lizzo, LL Cool J, Lupita Nyong’o, Maluma, Matthew McConaughey, Oprah Winfrey, Paul McCartney, Pharrell Williams, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sam Smith, Shah Rukh Khan, Shawn Mendes, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and Usher.

The broadcast is hosted by Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be directed toward the WHO’s efforts to equip front-line health-care workers with protective equipment, and to various charities providing food and shelter to those in need.

To learn more about WHO’s response to the pandemic and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, please go to www.who.int/COVID-19 and follow @WHO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

Gary V Facebook Live concert

On the local scene, Gary Valenciano will have a Facebook Live concert tonight at 8:30. This is in partnership with Operation Blessing, Shining Light Foundation, GV Productions and Manila Genesis.